Meade County KY Detention Center & JRC

You can support your loved ones at Meade Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 270-422-2546.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Meade Co Jail is a detention center located at 516 Hillcrest Dr Brandenburg, KY which is operated locally by the Meade County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Meade County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Brandenburg Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for Kentucky here.

The Meade County Detention Center, a facility with a 93-bed capacity, operates alongside the 80-bed Jail Restricted Custody (JRC), designed for housing community and minimum-custody inmates. Designed to maintain a clear separation from the main jail, the JRC provides a structured environment tailored to lower-risk offenders, facilitating a focus on reintegration and community-oriented programs. Together, overseen by Jailer J.J. Scarborough, these facilities serve Meade County’s correctional needs by providing secure housing and specialized supervision for varying custody levels.

Individuals who do not post bail within the first twenty-four hours are required to appear before a judge. During this first appearance, conducted either in person or via telephone, the judge informs the arrested person of the charges against them and sets the bond amount.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

The commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, spending limits may be increased. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items, including USPS stamps and writing materials.

The 47-page Inmate Handbook on the sheriff's jail website (but available here) is the definitive source for comprehensive information regarding inmates at the Meade County Detention. This handbook, provided to new detainees upon their arrival, details all regulations, policies, and inmate expectations within the facility, including guidelines for visitation, communication, personal conduct, and available services. It is an essential resource for understanding inmate rights and responsibilities outlined by the detention center.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences.

Work Release

The Meade County Detention Center offers a work release program for eligible inmates as granted by judicial approval. Participants must adhere to specific conditions to retain their work release privileges. These guidelines mandate compliance with all court, jail, and commitment order conditions, and may require the inmate's employer to sign a work release bond. Inmates must provide the Detention Center with a verifiable work schedule, contact information for their supervisor, and pay stubs if requested. A daily fee of $20 applies, whether the inmate works or not, with payments due weekly or bi-weekly based on the pay schedule. If outstanding fees exceed $200, work release privileges may be suspended until the balance is cleared, with possible exceptions authorized by the Chief Deputy or Jailer.

Participants are limited to a 5-day workweek and can be out of the facility for a maximum of 12 hours, including travel time. Permission to work additional days or extend hours must be obtained in writing from the Court. Inmates are restricted to traveling only between the jail and work, with any deviation requiring a court-authorized modification to their commitment order. Additionally, inmates must report any changes in employment status or schedule immediately to the Detention Center and are subject to verification checks by the facility.

Transportation requirements include providing a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance if driving. Self-employed individuals must present evidence of legitimate business activities before incarceration. Security procedures, including pat-downs and strip searches, are in place to prevent contraband entry. Any unauthorized items, or evidence of alcohol or drug use, result in the immediate loss of work release status and notification to the court. Inmates may also be subjected to random alcohol and drug testing, with all fees and presumptive positive results reported to judicial authorities. Finally, inmates must not bring any unapproved items into the facility, and any rule violation can lead to the revocation of work release privileges.